Fall 2011 political internships in federal, state and city offices

Applications are now being accepted for the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa’s Undergraduate Political Internship Program in Fall 2011, during which selected political fellows and interns will work in government offices instead of attending classes.

UH Mānoa students who will be juniors and seniors next semester may apply for the full-time fellow assignments in up to four offices of Hawai‘i’s Congressional delegation in Washington, D.C. In addition, there are full-time intern assignments in the Governor’s Office, Lieutenant Governor’s Office, and the Office of the City and County of Honolulu Prosecutor.

All fellowships and internships are awarded on a competitive basis and involve full-time assignments to the sponsoring offices. Students earn 15 credits through three 5-credit courses, and receive scholarships to cover in-state tuition costs and appropriate incidental expenses. Additionally, students selected as Congressional Fellows will each be provided with roundtrip airfare to and from Washington, D.C., and a room-and-board allowance.

Through meaningful, hands-on work experience, combined with an academic program, students are given an up-close view of the top levels of government, plus the skills to advance in a variety of professional fields.

“This experience provided me with invaluable opportunities to support my academic and professional goals,” said former Congressional fellow Christine A. Wagner, who earned a B.A. in political science with a certificate in Peace Studies in 2010. “After a few months of my internship on the Armed Services Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives, my supervisor offered me an entry-level staff position. Today, I thoroughly enjoy my work environment, and my experience here in D.C. will further expose me to the legislative process, increase my understanding of issues involving American foreign policy, and generate important interpersonal connections.”

The program is supported by the UH Mānoa Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Political Science and American Studies departments, and Outreach College. For more information, call Outreach College at 956-6780.